Knewel, Henry, 1879-1896

KNEWEL, LISCH

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/1/2014 at 19:20:34

From the Alton Democrat of March 14, 1896: Hull News:

Henry Knewel, a son of John Knewel the well known elevator contractor, died at Sioux City Monday evening. Henry had the misfortune to fall from a high scaffold about a year ago, from which he never recovered. Last Thursday he went to the above city for treatment. Henry was a very enterprising jolly young man and his death has cast a gloom over the entire community; he was buried in the Catholic cemetery (St. Joseph's) in this city, Thursday at ten o'clock. All sympathize with the relatives in their extreme sorrow.

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From the Rock Valley Register, March 13, 1896:

Died in Sioux City.
Henry Knewel died in St. Joseph's Hospital in Sioux City Monday. He is well known to many Rock Valley people, being a resident of Hull. Two years ago while working on a building in Minnesota he fell from a scaffolding, sustaining injuries on his head from which he never fully recovered, and which were the ultimate cause of his death. He has been at St. Joseph in Sioux City for a long time, and had undergone several operations, but the utmost skill of the physicians was not able to effect a cure, though at intervals he would appear better. He had been an incessant sufferer, and death, which ensued on Monday last, must have come as a relief to him. He was about sixteen years of age. He was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Hull, and Rev. Father Phelen conducted the funeral rites.

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From the Hull Index, March 13, 1896:

Died.
At Sioux City, in the St. Joseph's hospital, Monday, March 9th, Henry Knewel, who was born at Alton, Sioux County, Dec. 1878. His remains were brought home Tuesday, and on yesterday were taken to the Catholic Church where services were conducted by Father Phelen. The remains were laid to rest in the church yard.

Henry's case is a sad one, and calls forth the sympathy of all for the bereaved family. It will be remembered that in September of 1893, while at work for his father on an elevator in Minnesota, the young man fell from a scaffold and sustained a fearful fracture of the head. It was thought impossible for him to survive his injuries for even a few days, but by careful nursing and skilled treatment a hopeful recovery was entertained. For a long time it was thought he would not be able to regain speech. He did however, but his mind was left somewhat shattered.

About a year ago it was thought best to take him to Sioux City and have an operation performed. Miss Kate Knewell, with a heart overflowing with a sister's love, accompanied him, bright with hopes that he might be fully restored to health and a sound mind. The operation was in a measure successful, but in course of time his friends began to realize that his condition was again becoming serious. He was frequently attacked with epileptic fits, and from their increased severity, it was feared that if something was not done soon, his mind would be entirely gone and the poor boy left an idiot or hopelessly insane. It was decided to again take him to Sioux City for another operation, the same kind and loving sister attending him. On Saturday she wired her father to come to Sioux City in order to be with her in the trying ordeal which she felt might come. The poor boy lingered until Monday following, and retained his mental faculties to a marked degree until death relieved him of his present sufferings and a possibility of a life which might be a burden to himself and a heartache to his friends. The friends have the deepest sympathy of the entire community.

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(The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Knewel, Henry, b. 1879 d. 1896 ss John, Maria, James, Wm, Augusta, Charles, Dena, St. Josephs Cem Hull IA.)

(In the 1885 census for Hull, researcher Wilma Vande Berg found: John Knewel 49 born in Germany; wife Mary (Lisch) 49 born in Germany - Children Nicolas 18 born MN, Kate 16 MN, Mary 14 MN, Henry 6 born So. Co. IA Anna 1 born IA, Leona M. 1885-1977. Anna was found in the 1925 census of IA as Mrs. Nicolas Nemmers and there is stated her mother was Mary Lisch.)